Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-04-28
APOWERFuL PLEA

I'm support of Hiram Lodges Position
And Claims as Regards the Grand
Lodge and its Recent Action.
A prominent citizen of Hartford and one
of the best read members of the order either
in ancient or modern Masonic history gives
his views as result of his most careful in
vestigation respecting the rights and priv
leges of Grand lodges and Blue lodges
with special reference to the recent
rulings of the Connecticut Grand lodge
against "Old Hiram" No. /, of this city, and
says the Grand lodge has, ,t'no power to
enforce an order in conflict with the unwrit-
ten law" He adds: els the infant in Ma
sonry Ghe Grand LODGE to instruct its mature
parent (Hiram lodge in such matters?" ''The
article" says a prominent New Haven
| Mason, els one of the soundest yet published
1 in favor of the Blue lodges and surely a
| sharp blade against the Grand lodge-and
| rather too big blue pill to be swallowed at
| one dose without much disturbing the equi-
| ibrium of that august body. 1t should be
read carefully by every member of the
| craft" The article in question was commu-
nicated to the Hartford Times and headed
GA Plea for Harmony" and is as follows:
"Judicis est semper in causis verum seoul -
Cicero; s.,or.o. -. - r., ,-.-..n-[.
1 oS-AS
Mundi, 247Q, for an expert workman named Hiram
Abif, Hiram replied; Thou hast cause to thank
kingdom into thy hands and for this cause, since
no news can come unto me more welcome" In
Grand lodge on the 10th inst 0 With reference
It Gf Itself non nte 8c P6b1s
/ else-the cautious student of Masonic history and
wisdom Of investing grand lodges with preroga-
tives which are virtually inherent in subordinate
with all the brotherly love and charity nculcated
/ by Masonry, cannot admit like King Hiram, that
and that we feel thankful that such powers and
prerogatiyes have been delivered Into thy
The very question Cd g. at issue has no place in
Masonry. The D: g., as ought to be known to
ceedngs, is an innovation of the unwrtten law of
Masonry and was entirely unknown to Masons I'M
is not present and never was from the time where
| Of the memory Of man runneth to the contrary" a
themselves innovations, the very earliest, far as
Angle Masonry is concerned having been con n
Il King Athelstano, A D. 915 Whatever matters of
to Question by the average assemby Of Masons in
Grand lodge will it not strike the impartial Mason
Globe. that So old and distinguished body which
has inherited the traditions and usages OF hiram
eonsderaton? If Hiram is in error now, then the
Grand lodge and other subordinate lodges labored
Tie Raerf @ske st1sF
cannot enforce an order in conflict with the I'M
written law; and the question Immediately recurs
What is that uuwritten law? Who is to decide? Is
the infant in Masonry to instruct its mature parent
| in such matters? The W. NJ. of every subordinate
lodge at its installation is required to conform to
the ancient regulation that it is not in the power
of any man, or body of men to make innovations
in the body of Masonry" If the Grand lodge in
its youthful eferyescence has committed an inno-
walton Innovations it compel Blue lodges to
violate the ancient landmarksf'
1.-THE last and browning landmark of all is that
these landmarks can never be changed. Nothing
hoc ho
ed to them-not the slightest modification can be
made in them As I they 5u were reT yea from
obligations of duty TO transmit them to our sue
Not one 1Gt or one title of these pnwrtten
said: "Judics est semper in causs verum sequi''-
it is the duty of judge in every to seek for
truth. Would it not have been more digniffed nay
lodge who tried and pronounced a sen
tence against Hiram lodge that is simply astound.
the distinguished leading members PRESENT. re-
peat would it not have been di gnified before
gently for the truths R. ". Edward oakley yre at TIA
lodge in Golden Square, London, Dec 81, 1928, in
commenting NTH upon the danger OF admitting to the
capacities said that it might render the order
VIGOROUSLY scandaIous and entirely repugaant
to the sacred honor and constitutions of Free and
Accepted Masons. And if any such have already
these follow the brethren as the multitude
Hosanna to-day and to morrow Cruelty, Crucify!''
Let US hope that the Grand lodge may be recon
consideration, that notorious scandal may be
avoided and that may net be put In
Light mt before the Tord 70 differently from ron
sons 1, for one, regret the entrance of the wedge
Of discord that may rend fraternal bond-O!
ing the necessity of this public letter on the mat
ter. But grave error has been made Let us
correct it ere It is too late TYRE.
1897